4 physics majors acted as Learning Assistants in select sections of Non-Calculus Physics I in a pilot program during spring, 2014.

Challenges

It was difficult to justify offering a class for only 2 students (first offering of The Teaching of Physics).

Physics faculty with a passion for physics pedagogy are not as prepared to engage students in addressing physics content knowledge as faculty trained in physics education research.

It was initially difficult to have influence over the placements for physics majors in the early teaching experiences due to a long history of decision making by faculty outside the science college.

Sustainability

Physics Practicum is required of all MTSU physics majors.

The Teaching of Physics is required of all physics majors in the Physics Teaching concentration, but open to all majors.

Step One and Step Two is required of all STEM majors seeking endorsement to teach at the secondary level and, therefore, all future physics teachers.

The Physics and Astronomy department is committed to growing our involvement in PER, as evidenced by hiring our first PER faculty member.

Lessons Learned

Interactions with current and past high school teachers are greatly valued by majors in the Physics Teaching concentration.

The earliest teaching experience, Step One, can be a tool for recruiting physics majors.

Activities

All physics majors at MTSU are required to take Physics Practicum as a graduation requirement, where they act as Learning Assistants in introductory physics labs.

Physics majors in the Physics Teaching concentration take The Teaching of Physics, where they are allowed have more responsibilities in an introductory physics laboratory.

Students enrolled in The Teaching of Physics visited the high school classroom of a local high school physics teacher that uses the Modeling approach.

As a UTeach replication site, MTSU offered two courses with early teaching experiences as the fundamental activity, Step One and Step Two. Step One students teach lessons in the K-5 environment, while Step Two students teach in grades 6-8.

Step One was offered for the first time in fall, 2011 and is now offered every semester.

Step Two was offered for the first time in spring, 2011 and is also offered every semester.